November 23, 2005

Cingular Wireless announced it will send its Treo 650 users a text message alerting them of a new software download for their device.

The software update, version 1.17, includes improvements for the gadget's memory handling, voice quality, Bluetooth performance, power settings and other features.

Although still relatively rare, such software updates are notable since mobile phones are quickly becoming as complex as full-featured computers.

Most wireless players are loath to release software updates for phones that they have already sold to end users-a move that at some level stands as an acknowledgement that the phone was not perfect to begin with.

However, not releasing new, improved software stands as an even greater risk if users discover problems with their device.

Cingular, along with Treo 650 vendor Palm Inc., said the software will be available for download from Palm's Web site at www.palm.com/CingularUpdate.

The software update includes a variety of improvements, including adding support for Google Inc.'s Gmail e-mail service.

Palm has previously released software updates for its Treo users. Microsoft Corp. too recently released an ActiveSync software upgrade for its Windows Mobile device users.

In other Treo news, Alltel Corp. announced it will sell the Treo 650 for $400 with a service agreement. The move is notable for Alltel as the carrier has been working to flesh out its high-end device offerings.

Source: RCR News